Safa British School is a British Curriculum / GCSE / A-Levels / BTEC / ASDAN school in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Founded in 2004. Annual tuition ranges from $12,094 to $19,581 USD.
Location & Getting There
NanaSays Scorecard
Key Details
Scholarships Available
Academic Scholarships are offered at three entry points: Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4, and Key Stage 5. Up to five scholarships per entry point grant up to 50% off KHDA-advertised tuition fees. Open to internal and external candidates; requires recent reports, CAT4/Progress tests, and a scholarship assessment. Sporting Excellence scholarships are also available, requiring evidence of national-level performance. Offers must be accepted in writing within ten days and are subject to the governing body's approval.
Academic Performance
Key facts
About
Safa British School is an all-through British curriculum day school in Al Safa 1, Dubai, serving over 1,600 students aged 3–18 from more than 80 nationalities across Foundation Stage 1 to Year 13. The school offers a progression pathway through GCSEs, A-Levels, BTEC, and ASDAN, with a fully inclusive approach encompassing dedicated SEN and EAL support via the Inclusion Team and the on-site Bridge Learning Centre. It holds Outstanding ratings from KHDA for both Wellbeing and Inclusion, and maintains British Schools Overseas (BSO) status.
School data verified by NanaSays. Last updated: April 2026.
Fees & Financials
| Grade / Year | Annual Fee |
|---|---|
| FS1 | AED 45,428~$ 12,378 |
| FS2 | AED 49,754~$ 13,557 |
| Year 1 | AED 49,754~$ 13,557 |
| Year 2 | AED 54,081~$ 14,736 |
| Year 3 | AED 54,081~$ 14,736 |
| Year 4 | AED 58,407~$ 15,915 |
| Year 5 | AED 58,407~$ 15,915 |
| Year 6 | AED 60,571~$ 16,504 |
| Year 7 | AED 62,733~$ 17,093 |
| Year 8 | AED 64,897~$ 17,683 |
| Year 9 | AED 67,060~$ 18,272 |
| Year 10 | AED 70,305~$ 19,157 |
| Year 11 | AED 70,305~$ 19,157 |
| Year 12 | AED 73,550~$ 20,041 |
| Year 13 | AED 73,550~$ 20,041 |
Conversions to USD use exchange rates as of April 2026.
Original currency: AED 44,385 - 71,861. Application fee: $136.
Admissions Process
- 1Enquire and book a tour via the Registrar online or by calling 04 388 4300. 2. Complete the online application form. 3. Submit required documents: child's passport and UAE entry visa or residency, Emirates IDs for child and both parents, two recent passport photos, last two school reports (Year 1 and above), transfer certificate if applicable, and any SEN/IEP documentation. Pay AED 500 application fee (refundable if no place is offered). 4. Attend assessments: FS1–Year 1 use Stay & Play observations; Years 2–6 involve mathematics, reading and writing or a computerised assessment; Secondary baselining lasts approximately 90 minutes and may include an interview with Inclusion and Pastoral Heads. 5. If a place is offered, return acceptance within ten days, pay the enrolment deposit, and provide a transfer certificate from the previous school (original certificates may require attestation for overseas transfers).
School Day
Monday–Thursday academic schedule with ECAs on Fridays. Morning drop-offs begin around 07:15 for most year groups, with end times typically ranging from 14:30 to 15:30 depending on year group; Foundation Stage may have earlier dismissal.
Student Life
Four houses: Air (Yellow), Water (Blue), Earth (Green), and Fire (Red). The system supports community, enterprise, sustainability and sports through house events, a House Cup, and student House Captains. Points are tracked via ClassPoint for wellbeing and ClassCharts for learning gears.
Uniforms are purple and white. Foundation Stage and Primary: girls wear a purple-and-white striped dress or skirt; boys wear a purple-and-white striped shirt; both with a navy jumper. Older pupils wear plain white shirts with a purple inner collar and logo, navy trousers, and a navy jumper as needed. Uniform supplied by Stitches (Al Quoz) and sports kit by Surridge Sport (JLT Cluster X).
The school promotes a healthy balanced diet and has a nut-free policy. FS1–Year 4 can bring packed lunches or have lunch provided by the canteen as a packed snack and lunch; Year 5 onwards can choose packed lunch or use the online top-up catering service. The canteen operates cashlessly with meals prepared on-site including hot and vegetarian dishes; menus are updated online and allergies highlighted.
Facilities & Programmes
Wellbeing & Safety
Mental wellbeing is central to school life with regular wellbeing checks using the Komodo platform from Year 3 to Sixth Form (age-appropriate methods for FS/KS1), a Wellbeing team including a School Counsellor and Head of Wellbeing (Tarana Khatri), Wellbeing Ambassadors, and wellbeing-themed events and guest speakers.
All staff receive annual safeguarding and child protection training. The school has trained Designated Safeguarding Leads to coordinate safeguarding actions and a clear reporting system for concerns about student welfare.
Student Demographics
School Background
Governed by a Board of Directors of nine members including a parent representative and the principal. Proprietors are Louay Khatib and Sameer Merchant (listed as owner). The Safa group also includes Safa Community School and The Bridge Learning Center.
Outstanding BSO (British Schools Overseas) ratingKHDA Outstanding rating for WellbeingKHDA Outstanding rating for Inclusion